The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) announced the awarding of the 2023 People Who Wander grants.

Legislation passed during the 2022 Colorado legislative session enhanced efforts to provide assistance to Colorado families of people who wander, along with the availability of state-sponsored grants to assist local governments with recovery programs.

“We are excited to be able to provide families and others with a convenient resource for information related to people who wander through a comprehensive website and launch of the grant program,” said CBI Director Chris Schaefer. 

The purpose of the Supporting Recovery Programs Persons Who Wander Grant program is to provide a funding opportunity for local governments in locating persons with medical conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, autism, brain injury, or developmental, cognitive, neurological, or chromosomal disorders.

The funds are to help encourage communities to establish recovery programs and provide tools that will increase the chances of saving the lives of lost and missing persons.  

A total of about $20,000 is being awarded to Otero County ($4,003), Gunnison ($6,250), and Loveland Police/Thompson Valley Emergency Medical Services ($10,000). They plan to use the funding in a variety of ways.

For example, Otero County will be using its $4,000 in grant funding to purchase a small thermal imager and the required training and materials, such as textbooks, for patrol and reserve staff.

Otero County Sheriff Shawn Mobley said the grant is a tremendous help in part because the county has never had the budget for a thermal imager.

Sheriff Mobley also said search and rescue operations can be a bit different in urban and rural areas such as Otero County so it helps to have proper equipment and training.

He said the training will help the sheriff’s office improve its capabilities.

“Being able to train everyone is very beneficial,” Sheriff Mobley said. “Having equipment like that helps us find those with Alzheimer’s and dementia who may wander off. It’s an incredible tool to add to our list of equipment to help those who may wander.”

Gunnison plans to use its grant for a telemetry-based tracking system to help find missing persons.

Loveland Police/Thompson Valley EMS will use its grant funding for a widespread educational campaign, training and to purchase MyID items such as wristband transmitters to help find people who wander. The band would contain pertinent information to help first responders reunite the missing person with their family.

There will be about $90,000 available for next year’s grant program. CBI expects to open the new grant window in the fall.